Nehru Cup final was the best game in Indian football: Gawli

Delhi: Mahesh Gawli is a name which is synonymous with consistency, dependability and now even adaptability given how easily he filled in for the injured N.Manju at the left back slot. No wonder Goal.com named him in their Nehru Cup Team of the Tournament. In a career spanning more than a decade or so, Gawli has been one of the most reliable defenders of his time. You name an honour in Indian football and he has it in his bag – Best defender awards, Man of the Match in the 2007 Nehru Cup final and much more. At club level, he has been a ‘lucky mascot’ for being part of some of the most successful sides in Indian football.

But the Nehru Cup final win over Syria on Monday evening tops all of it. “This was the best game in Indian football which I have been part of. You had everything in it. We defended well, we attacked when needed...everything was just great,” said Gawli. The 29 year old throws some light on the strategy employed by Team India in the finals which did its trick in the end. “We had decided to press the Syrians and never allow them to play the way they did in the earlier matches. We did it and it worked. The coach (Bob Houghton) kept inspiring us and said not to give up. He told it to all the players. He also said that sooner or later, we shall get our goal,” he explained. And the goal came and in what fashion! Renedy Singh’s free-kick left the Syrians dumbfounded and the crowd at Ambedkar went into frenzied celebrations, as did the Indian bench. “It was an excellent goal and in what a situation! Syria hadn’t conceded and in the 114th minute Renedy’s magic lifted everyone. We thought as if we had won until the equaliser,” added Gawli. The match went into penalties and it was Subrata Paul’s saves from Syrian kicks which clinched the trophy for India. Paul was been outstanding throughout the tournament and Gawli seconds it. “Paul pulled-off brilliant saves. He was tremendous. The way it happened, I have got no words to describe it. At the speed at which Paul is progressing, it will be difficult to stop him from making a mark for himself.” Despite the beautiful picture of India winning the Nehru Cup, certain critics continue to be sceptical about it and Gawli isn’t pleased one bit. He believes that it’s high time we got behind the Indian national team as a citizen of the country and hope for the betterment. “All those who criticize, please don’t do it. Think of the positives and as an Indian, we must hope that India must go ahead. We must support and if not that, then at least not criticize. Being an Indian, it just doesn’t suit,” he said. Goal.com